Decision tools · Compare
PEN vs A6500
Quick take: The A6500 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the A6500 is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·16 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Sony
A6500 2016
Best for Travel, street & versatile everyday photography
£649
list price · used from £401 at eBay
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
Verdictwhich should you buy?
A6500 — Travel, Street & Versatile Everyday Photography: The first Sony APS-C with IBIS — the A6500 added in-body stabilisation, touch AF, and a far deeper buffer to the A6300's already strong formula.
Who should buy what
A6500 (2016)
is the right camera for you if…
- Travel photographers who want IBIS in a compact weather-sealed E-mount body
- A6300 owners who need the stabilisation or touch AF the A6300 lacked
- Street and documentary photographers who want a capable compact with weather sealing
- Sony E-mount shooters looking for a capable used body at an accessible price
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | PENOM System · 2026 | A6500Sony · 2016 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £849 | £649Best |
| Sensor | 20.4MP Four Thirds Live MOS | 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 20.4MP | 24.2MPBest |
| Video | 4K/C4K, OM-Log400, vertical video support | 4K/30p (full pixel readout), 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Phase-hybrid AF (121 points) with subject detection (people, cats, dogs) | 425 phase-detect + 169 contrast-detect AF points, face/eye detection |
| Stabilisation | 5.5-stop IBIS | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5 stops (first Sony APS-C with IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 30fps electronicBest | 11fps |
| Battery Life | 410 shots (CIPA)Best | ~310 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 393g (with battery and card)Best | 453g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | — | 120.0 × 66.9 × 53.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.70× magnification |
| Screen | Tilting touchscreen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD (UHS-I) | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
PEN
A6500
Portrait
7.0/10
6.6/10
Street
7.8/10
7.1/10
Travel
7.4/10
6.6/10
Wedding & Events
6.3/10
5.2/10
Vlogging & Video
6.7/10
—
Filmmaking
5.2/10
5.1/10
Documentary
7.0/10
5.8/10
Sports & Action
7.7/10
6.6/10
Landscape
6.1/10
5.5/10
Wildlife
8.1/10
7.3/10
Casual
6.3/10
4.8/10
Food
6.9/10
6.3/10
Macro
6.8/10
5.7/10
Architecture
6.1/10
5.4/10
Astrophotography
5.9/10
5.3/10
Fun & simple
4.7/10
—
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
Next
More comparisons with PEN
Camera family history